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Oligopoly Diagram

There are different diagrams that you can use to explain Oligopoly markets.

It is important to bear in mind, there are different possible ways that firms in Oligopoly can behave.

Kinked Demand Curve Diagram

The firm maximises profits at Q1, P1 where MR=MC. Thus a change in MC, may not change the market price.

The kinked demand curve makes certain assumptions

Firms are profit maximisers.

If one firm increases price, other firms won’t follow suit. Therefore, for a price increase demand is price elastic.

If one firm cuts price, other firms will follow suit because they don’t want to lose market share. Therefore, for a price cut, demand is price inelastic.

This is how we get the ‘kinked demand curve

However, the kinked demand curve has limitations

It doesn’t explain how the price was arrived at in the first place.

Firms may engage in price competition.

Collusive Oligopoly

If firms in oligopoly collude and form a cartel, then they will try and fix the price at the level which maximises profits for the industry. They will then set quotas to keep output at the profit maximising level.

The price and output in oligopoly will reflect the price and output of a monopoly. The Quantity QM will be split between the firms in the cartel.

Economies of Scale for Oligopolies

Oligopolies may benefit from economies of scale. This enables lower average costs with increased output.